OATdb Archive

2009 - 2010

New Student Orientation (Freshman, Transfer)

Goal
Effective New Student Orientation Program
Plan and implement an effective New Student Orientation program for incoming freshman and their parents/guests. 

Objective
Student Satisfaction
Students attending New Student Orientation will report having been assisted and satisfied with their transition into Sam Houston State University community. 

Indicator
New Student Orientation Evaluation
Incoming freshmen complete the evaluation. The evaluation has some 5-point Likert items and some 4-point Likert items.

Criterion
3 Or Higher On A 5-point Scale
Incoming freshmen will rate their orientation experience at a three or higher on a five-point scale.


Finding
Incoming Freshmen Satisfied
Evaluations indicate ratings over three related to experience and satisfaction at new student orientation.  The major complaint is that online registration is difficult because of website navigation.

Action
Registration Solution
New Student Orientation will work with Enrollment Management to create a strategy for orientation registrants so they are immediately guided to a landing page for registration.

Objective
Student Preparedness
Students attending New Student Orientation will become knowledgeable of the resources available to support them in their academic endeavors.

Indicator
Orientation Evaluation
Incoming freshmen complete the evaluation after New Student Orientation.

Criterion
Three Or Better On A Five-point Scale
Three or better on a five-point scale related to resource availability.

Finding
Student Ratings
Students rated their knowledge of resource availability at an average of approximately 3.5.

Action
Staff Training
A well-informed staff should help raise the ratings on resource availability.

Goal
Orientation Team Comprehensive Training
Develop and implement a comprehensive training program that will prepare the Orientation Team to be knowledgeable of the vast resources available to both new students and their parents/guests.


Objective
Orientation Team Service To Students And Their Parents/Guests
The Orientation Team will be able to assist and direct students and their parents/guests with the knowledge needed to complete and/or gain information about a particular department(s) during the transition to Sam Houston State University.

Indicator
Orientation Team Member Examination
The examination assesses knowledge about SHSU and its resources.

Criterion
At Least 80% To Pass
Team members must score at least 80% on the exam to remain a member of the new student orientation team.

Finding
Passing
97% of team member candidates scored 80% or above and were deemed ready to be on the orientation team. 

Action
Options
Those examinees who score below 70% are dismissed.  Those scoring between 70 and 80% are allowed to review their materials once more and retake the exam.

Goal
Undergraduate Admissions And Tele-Counseling/Tele-Recruitment Efforts
Work with the Undergraduate Admissions Office in tele-counseling/tele-recruitment efforts to funnel students from accepted to enrolled students.

Objective
Tele-Counseling/Tele-Recruitment
Members of the Orientation Team will assist in tele-counseling/tele-recruiting students in answering "what's next - after applying? after being accepted?"


Indicator
Coding
Callers code calls for contact with student, contact with parent, left message, etc.

Criterion
3500 Calls
The team is hoping to make 3500 calls to help move accepted students to enrolled students.

Finding
Phone Calls
Approximately 3000 phone calls were made.  The process is tedious because it is all manual coding.

Action
Solutions
One solution to make more phone calls is to start the process earlier in the fall.  Additionally, when Hobsons is working to speed, all codes are funneled to Hobsons which automatically sends the appropriate follow-up e-mail. Phone calls to newly admitted students will continue through the summer.


Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement New Student Orientation plans orientations for incoming freshmen and transfer students.  We will be revising the online registration for orientation by redesigning the website so orientation registrants are able to find the landing page in a timely manner.  Additional training in resource availability for the staff members and maintaining high standards for team membership will improve outcomes for incoming freshmen. Finally, starting earlier in the spring on the call campaign should net more students enrolling at SHSU.